Factors that increase the likelihood an individual will get depression

Depression risk factors

The following is a list of risk factors that will heighten an individual’s chance of getting depression and considering suicide as anoption. A person could have one or more of the risk factors to be considered vulnerable, though, it’s often a combination.

Factors that raise the likelihood of depression and suicide

1) Dealing with difficult life circumstances:

Having a history of trauma or abuse and not having dealt with it using therapeutic tools

Major financial loss

Job loss

Loss of valuable relationship

The death of a close loved one

2) Actions that can worsen mood and lead to major depression:

Abusing substances like alcohol and drugs

Having already tried to commit suicide makes you more prone to considering it as an option faster than other people

Not eating enough daily calories or carbohydrates (which are important for brain energy)

Eating too many processed foods and sugars

Not getting enough physical exercise

Spending too much time alone (up to three days without seeing or speaking to anyone)

Doing something you deeply believes goes against your morality – what you believe is right or wrong. If you’ve done something you consider bad it could cause you a great deal of emotional pain. It could be a severe as committing a crime, cheating on a partner or even having sex if you are raised in a religion

3) Environments that can increase the risk of depression and/or suicide:

Family history of mental health issues or suicide attempts

Living in household of trauma or abuse or being in an environment (ie. school or work) where you feel trauma regularly

Easy to access lethal means like guns or drugs or dangerous objects

Living in an area where local suicides have occurred

Lack of social support and sense of isolationLack of health care, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment

Not having financial stability or living in poverty

Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)